Comet NEAT (C/2001 Q4)

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In the past comets brought with them connotations of doom and gloom. Witnessing a comet in the night sky could very well be one of the scariest things a person might see up there in the heavens. Nowadays, given sufficient distance from the Earth, comets elicit a distinctly different reaction. People gaze at them in wonder from even bright city skies- and amateur astronomers enjoy the change in pace from their usual astronomical vistas. This comet, NEAT (C-2001 Q4), is now rounding the Sun and will be journeying to the outer part of the solar system soon. On its way, people in the northern hemisphere can catch a glimpse of it during the subsequent months.

Equipment

76mm Televue (480mm f/6.3 refractor)
Canon Rebel (EOS) digital camera
  • 2 minute exposure.

    • Minimum credit line: Adam Block/NOAO/AURA/NSF

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    Updated: 05/10/2004